New York City activates flash flood emergency plan as rain soaks area
NEW YORK -- New York City dealt with a deluge of rain Wednesday, with some places in the Tri-State Area seeing flooding.
The New York City Office of Emergency Management has issued a travel advisory through 6 a.m. Thursday and activated its flash flood emergency plan.
The city is warning residents in flood-prone areas or below-grade living spaces to take precautions, pay attention to the forecast and to heed warnings if needed.
Streets in Queens began to flood Wednesday afternoon as rain came down, getting heavier by the hour, but residents said they were prepared, unlike the last few rain storms.
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Cars splashed through streets in southeast Queens.
"The rain is starting to get heavy now, so I'm just worried about what's gonna happen when it does get really heavy," Rosedale resident Jeremy Babb said.
Residents in Rosedale and Springfield Gardens wait to see how much rain will pour into their neighborhoods, and possibly even into their basements.
"The last time that came down, there was no preparation at all, but this time around, I think we are prepared," Springfield Gardens resident Michael Aborisade said.
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Aborisade says his basement was flooded back in September when New York City received record rainfall and flooding. Now, he's got a pump ready.
"It was actually coming from the bathroom, and it flooded everywhere in the basement," he said. "I have a pump to pump out water, in case."
Babb says his street is impassable for cars and pedestrians every time there's significant rainfall.
"I've been living in Rosedale for 15 years, and this has always been the biggest problem. Myself and the neighbors have repeatedly called 311, we've called the local congressman and council people," he said.
Back in 2020, new storm sewers were installed in the area, but residents say it's still not enough.
"Whether it be a little bit of rain or heavy rain, it runs the risk of coming onto the property," Babb said.
Wednesday night, CBS New York crews found cars making waves on some back roads in low-lying areas of Queens, as well as significant puddles on parts of the Cross Island Parkway and Grand Central Parkway.
At this hour, no major injuries or issues have been reported.